I don't eat spam, but there isn't much you can do to it. I would be more concerned about the contents leaking all over my equipment. Spam is already cooked (and thoroughly preserved) so you just need to get it to the temperature you want to eat it at. I guess if I had left it out a couple days and it smelled ok, then I would boil it extra long just in case.

If you are concerned you could use pre-cooked bacon instead:https://www.amazon.com/Hormel%C2%AE-Black-Label-Fully-Cooked/dp/B00F54QG1S

I can't believe that anyone still eats this stuff! If there's any real meat in it, it's very well-hidden! It was, of course, a staple back in my childhood (1940s). My stomach turns just thinking about it.

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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

I have been told that Spam is extremely popular in all the Pacific islands, including Hawaii. I hear it is still "a thing" in the upper Midwest, too. Anyway, it contains calories, which is a trait you generally want in food.

I don't eat spam, but there isn't much you can do to it. I would be more concerned about the contents leaking all over my equipment. Spam is already cooked (and thoroughly preserved) so you just need to get it to the temperature you want to eat it at. I guess if I had left it out a couple days and it smelled ok, then I would boil it extra long just in case.

If you are concerned you could use pre-cooked bacon instead:https://www.amazon.com/Hormel%C2%AE-Black-Label-Fully-Cooked/dp/B00F54QG1S

Bear in mind that once you open the package of Spam the pre-cooked element is no longer providing food safety. A better question would be: If I left an opened package of Spam at room temperature for a day, would bacteria grow on it. I'm guessing that the answer for that one is yes indeed.

In food science classes they have the 4 hours and 40 degrees rules. Never leave anything that can grow bacteria for more than 4 hours at a temperature above 40 degrees and below 140 degrees F.

That was more or less my thought. I never really cared for spam myself but I was looking for something to add to the mashed potatoes and ramen. I'm a pretty picky eater and it's so hard to find food that doesn't require much cooking.

I have been told that Spam is extremely popular in all the Pacific islands, including Hawaii. I hear it is still "a thing" in the upper Midwest, too. Anyway, it contains calories, which is a trait you generally want in food.

Very popular in Russia as well. They started eating it during WWII when they traded with our GI's, been in love with it since.

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Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intent of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!

That was more or less my thought. I never really cared for spam myself but I was looking for something to add to the mashed potatoes and ramen. I'm a pretty picky eater and it's so hard to find food that doesn't require much cooking.

Well, if you were totin' MRE's (pretty damn heavy at 1 lb each) try PACE pre-cooked pouches. I will carry them on a weekend trip, or for the first day of a long trip. Lots of flavor choices, can eat them cold if need be, and weigh less than 1 lb!

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Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intent of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!

If I remember correctly, my last 5day trip was 16lbs of Mre's. O.o that was 2 meals per day plus snacks. Im still a beginner with only military experience. The trip before that was the same trail with 5 meals and crappie snacks...the nice think was not having to bring the stove. I'm learning.

Trust me, we've all been there. BKpng is all about what's important to you. I enjoy food, so I will pack a little heavier in that area than others. I know a couple who enjoys a good wine, so they will cut back on other things so they can take a bottle or two. If you're cranky skimping on something then the trip is going to be miserable.

To accomplish my goals I cut back on my pack weight, when I started I had a 10 lb exterior frame back, cut it back to a 5 lb Gregory internal, now I have a 11-1/4 oz homemade pack. My tent went from 5 lb to 2 lb. I have to have a pillow (side sleeper) so I made a 5 oz pillow out of batting that fits me perfect.

Just keep at it, you will get there. One of my guru's told me to track what I pack and use, at the end of the season question everything that I never used. Took my pack weight from 30 lb down to 18 - with my food!

_________________________
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intent of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!

You can do it, dropping 6 lbs is easy if you just look at what you're packing, and look for lighter alternatives. Look in the DIY section here for gear you can make, homemade is lots lighter than store-bought in many cases. I carry a 2-oz cat stove, use yellow HEAT for fuel, low-cost, quick heating, and doesn't leave soot on the bottom.

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Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intent of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!

Look at the 27 lb., 7 day gear list on the home page of this site for ideas. Specifically for food, in addition to investigating the many freeze-dried options available and home dehydration (I use a combination of the two), there are supermarket ingredients on which you can base lightweight meals--see "Sarbar's" Trail Cooking website.

No way will I ever try to carry meals containing fluid unless it's just for an overnighter!

Edited by OregonMouse (12/06/1604:49 PM)

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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Bear in mind that once you open the package of Spam the pre-cooked element is no longer providing food safety. A better question would be: If I left an opened package of Spam at room temperature for a day, would bacteria grow on it. I'm guessing that the answer for that one is yes indeed.

I agree with your supposition, however I think the answer to your question is unlikely:

Certainly your advice on proper food handling is safer and perhaps in the backpacking environment the added risk of food poisoning is not worth it.

Overall the advice (from many respondents) to stay away from spam is something I agree with. I think there are much better "meat" options: pre-cooked bacon, hard salami, freeze dried meats. IMHO all taste better and are more shelf stable.

Spam is very salty and salt is a preservative. It also has nitrates. I doubt it would go bad in a day. Do a test at home. Leave it out two days and eat it. At least if you get sick you can to do the doctor.

That old 4 hour rule has been discredited. There is bacteria on anything left out in the air the minute it gets left out. What makes you sick is not bacteria, per se, but the amount of bacteria and type. There is no general rule that fits all foods.

This brings up another backpack food item - cheese. If my cheese gets moldy, I just cut off the mold and eat the rest. Same with bread. Never had any problem with that. My husband is horrified by this! But then he is allergic to mold and I am not.

That old 4 hour rule has been discredited. There is bacteria on anything left out in the air the minute it gets left out. What makes you sick is not bacteria, per se, but the amount of bacteria and type. There is no general rule that fits all foods.

So your individual tolerance for bad food may also be a factor.

I did get food poisoning once, in Peru. Nasty, nasty!!

I've had it three times (never backpacking.) All three times had to do with people who did not store their food properly before serving--once in Peru. once in Italy, and once right here in the good ol' USA.

I've never been a fan of anything freeze dried, except maybe strawberries in Honey Bunches of Oats, lol. And they dont even taste like strawberries anymore when you eat them.

You guys did mention salami which would be much tastier. I was looking for a summer sausage with cheddar for a long time but I cant find any anymore, not sure how either would keep. I do plan on trying the food before I take it with me.

Actually, the fruitcake is still bad, it's just that with all the brandy you really don't care anymore.

_________________________
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intent of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!